A woman and her 10-month-old baby boy were allegedly burned alive in India’s eastern state of Jharkhand after being accused of practicing witchcraft, police said. Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The attack took place on Tuesday in the remote village of Kudsai, located about 250 kilometers from Ranchi, the state capital. The victim has been identified as Jyoti Sinku. Her husband was also assaulted during the attack and remains hospitalized with severe burn injuries.
Police confirmed that additional suspects are being sought and that those already detained are in custody. The accused have not yet made public statements regarding the allegations.
Rumors and Superstition Spark Violence
According to local reports, the violence was fueled by rumors linking Jyoti Sinku to recent misfortunes in the village, including sudden livestock deaths and the illness and eventual death of a local resident named Pustun Birua.
Birua’s wife, Jano Birua, said her husband had been suffering from anxiety-related complications and frequently fainted. Due to limited access to formal healthcare facilities, she sought assistance from a local unlicensed practitioner — a common practice in remote and economically disadvantaged communities.
“The health worker told us that my husband was not suffering from any physical illness,” she said. When asked why her husband was not taken to a hospital, she explained, “We are poor people. It was not possible for us to travel such a long distance for treatment.”
Following Birua’s death on Tuesday evening, rumors quickly spread through the village that Jyoti Sinku was responsible through black magic. Later that night, a group of around a dozen people reportedly attacked the family’s home.
According to Jyoti’s husband, Kolhan Sinku, the attackers set his wife and infant son on fire during the assault.
Pattern of Witchcraft-Related Killings
Witchcraft-related violence remains a persistent issue in several parts of India, particularly in economically marginalized and tribal regions where superstition and lack of healthcare infrastructure contribute to harmful beliefs.
Data from India’s National Crime Records Bureau indicates that more than 2,500 people were killed between 2000 and 2016 after being accused of practicing black magic. The majority of victims were women.
In a similar incident just months ago in the neighboring state of Bihar, five members of the same family were brutally killed — reportedly burned alive — following accusations of witchcraft.
A Remote and Vulnerable Community
Kudsai village, where the latest attack occurred, consists of approximately 50 mud houses and lacks adequate healthcare services. In many such communities, residents depend on informal health practitioners rather than licensed medical professionals.
Experts note that misinformation, social tensions, and economic hardship often combine to create conditions where accusations of witchcraft escalate into violence.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the attack and are searching for additional suspects. Police have not yet disclosed whether charges will include murder, conspiracy, or other criminal offenses.
Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of anti-witch-hunting laws and greater awareness campaigns to combat superstition-driven violence.
The tragic deaths of Jyoti Sinku and her infant son once again highlight the deadly consequences of misinformation and deeply rooted social stigma.
